GMO Inside Announces Victory for Consumers: Hershey's Milk Chocolate and Kisses to Go Non-GMO by the End of 2015

WASHINGTON, Feb. 23, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In response to tens of thousands of Facebook posts, emails, and telephone calls from consumers who took part in GMO Inside's campaign calling on Hershey's to move to non-GMO ingredients, the U.S. chocolate giant released a statement last week (http://www.thehersheycompany.com/newsroom/news-release.aspx?id=2017846) that it "will feature a lineup of simple ingredients, and transition some of its most popular chocolate brands, including Hershey's Kisses Milk Chocolates and Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bars to simpler ingredients."

Today, Hershey's confirmed that as part of its commitment to simpler ingredients, its two iconic products will be non-GMO by the end of the year.

Green America Food Campaigns Director Nicole McCann stated: "We congratulate Hershey's on this important move and great first step. As one of the leading chocolate companies in the U.S., this commitment will help move the rest of the companies in this sector. Hershey's joins General Mills, Unilever, Post Foods, and other leading companies in responding to consumer demand to make at least some of its products non-GMO."

Two years ago, in February 2013, GMO Inside began calling on consumers to put pressure on Hershey's (as well Mars) to make its products without GMOs due to concerns over the environmental and health impacts of GMOs (http://gmoinside.org/hershey-mars/). In response, thousands of consumers emailed the company urging it to remove GMOs.

In December 2014, when Hershey's announced it was exploring transitioning away from high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), GMO Inside mobilized consumers to call the company to urge it not to use any other form of GMO sugar, such as from GMO sugar beets (http://greenam.org/1Bfmbre); and then again in February 2015 called on consumers to post on the company's Facebook page on Valentine's Day (http://gmoinside.org/hersheys-show-us-love-organic-sugar/).

"Hershey's needs to take the next step and go non-GMO with all of its chocolates, and get third-party verification for non-GMO ingredients. This includes sourcing milk from cows not fed GMOs and agreeing to prohibit any synthetic biology ingredients, starting with vanilla," stated John Roulac, co-chair of GMO Inside. "Consumers are increasingly looking for non-GMO products and verification, and Hershey's and its competitors would be wise to offer third-party verified non-GMO products to consumers."

ABOUT GMO INSIDE

GMO Inside is a campaign dedicated to helping all Americans know which foods have GMOs inside; and removing GMOs and toxins from our food supply. We believe that everyone has a right to know what's in their food and to choose foods that are proven safe for people, their families, and the environment. GMO Inside provides the information for a growing community of people from all walks of life, to make informed decisions around genetically engineered foods. Join the campaign at www.gmoinside.org, and take part in the GMO Inside community on Facebook and Twitter.

ABOUT GREEN AMERICA

Green America is the nation's leading green economy organization. Founded in 1982, Green America (formerly Co-op America) provides the economic strategies, organizing power and practical tools for businesses, investors, and individuals to solve today's social and environmental problems (http://www.greenamerica.org).